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I love an opportunity to get a deal, especially on “necessities” like clothes. I love quality and cute clothes for Isaac, but it is really hard to pay full price for kids clothes knowing how quickly he goes through them. So each fall and spring I head out to a few sales put on by local twin and multiples groups in our city. Back in the spring I detailed my process (here and here). In short, I always have a list and plan and budget. I like to spend under $100 for both sales combined, though I may increase that a bit as I start buying for the baby too.

This year I hoped to find some baby “gear” so I went to both sales as they opened.

Sale #1 was the Twin Sale put on by EHMOTC held a the Nagel Middle School in Anderson. I walked around pretty quickly, picked up some items then found a spot to take a closer look at each item. I look for stains, think of outfits, and decide if the the item is worth the cost.

Here is what I ended up with after the first sale:

For Isaac:

3T Gap zip-up sweatshirt jacket

3T lined plaid jacket (really warm!)

3T Addidas track outfit

3T long-sleeved shirt

2T rust corduroy button up – Thanksgiving shirt!

For baby:

3-6 mo. BabyGap sleeper (Similar to favorite of mine for Isaac as a baby. Super soft!)

0-3 mo. “All I Need is Love” long-sleeved onesie

3-6 mo. tie-die sleeper (looks never worn)

Misc:

Duck towel (I had been looking for this last spring before pool season)

Car organizer for Isaac’s books and a few toys we leave in the car ($8.00 is a little pricey for a sale, but I had planned to buy something just like this! It was brand new.)

Crib sheet in Navy

Total for Sale #1: $31.00 for 11 items.

Sale #2 was the following week across town at the Princeton Middle School put on by the Tristate Multiples Club. I was in line while it was still dark as I was hoping to find a bassinet/crib/pack ‘n play. Something for baby to sleep in until he is sleeping through the night. I did find some cute things, but didn’t manage to find gear. Boo.

For Isaac:

3T Gap zip-up jacket. (I guess I really liked this item, I did not realize I jut bought one in a different color the week before!)

2T and 3T dressy button up (1 for Christmas outfit!)

3T PJs

4T PJs

4T polo (brand new!)

For baby:

3-6 mo. Aden and Anais sleep sac

2 pair pants – 3 mos, 6 mos,

2 onesies – 3-6 mos

4 sleepers – 0-3 and 3-6 mos. (all long-sleeved for baby born in Feb)

Accessories:

Rain boots – size 8. Isaac loves trying on my rain boots, I knew he would love to wear these around the house even if it doesn’t rain all that much.

Saturday morning Isaac and I ventured off the the Tri-state Multiple Clothing and Equipment Sale at the Princeton Middle School. A few weeks back I sorted, organized and stored all the kids clothes that had been piling up in the basement (read all the details here). So, I had my lists ready to go for the sale along with a list of “starred” items. These are items that I was REALLY on the lookout for: Crocs (size 7, 8, or 9), outdoor toddler climber/slide, pjs, jacket (2T), Easter outfit (this year), and a wagon for Doug’s mom.

For most of sales I am in line when the door opens, without baby, cash in hand. This day I decided to take the day slow. I wanted to find some stuff, but really didn’t need to fight the masses. Isaac was tagging along for the fun. When I finally arrived (after realizing I had left my debit card for cash at home) the room was quiet. Usually I am sweating fighting the crowds and that was without baby! I was actually excited to calmly shop this time. Pickings were definitely slim though, in comparison. Usually the tables are mountains and volcanoes of clothes erupting to the benches and floors. (It’s awesome!!!)

I gave myself $100 budget to spend at the sales this week and next. Whatever cash was left would go for items Isaac did need but couldn’t find like swim trunks and summer shoes.

I visited the boy tables – 24 months, 2T, 3T and 4T. I also perused the hanging clothes racks which are nicer holiday items as well as jackets, coats, costumes, etc. The shoes line the bleachers along the wall in the gym by size. Isaac ate his lunch and drank his milk while flirting with the triplet (and quad and quint) moms. After about 30 minutes I had a grocery bag full of items.I always go through my items a second time before purchasing. I want to make sure that I am not buying 3 of the same things, check for stains, and look closer at the pricing compared to other items I picked up. Maybe I have 2 pair of jeans in the same size and one is $1.50 and the other is $4.00. Usually I am doing this while waiting in the forever long line to pay. Today there was no line, so I found us a little spot to break. I laid them out by size and compared the items. I pulled out my lists of what I already had at home and compared to decide what I’d buy.

The grand total was $47.25 for 24 items. The clothing I purchase was all $.50 – $2.50 per item, shoes and holiday items a little more. Before I get into what I got, let me take you on a little tour of the ‘Toys & Equipment Room’. Here are a few items I found interesting but did not need:

We have a restaurant highchair that Doug’s dad built for us because I could not find one of these for sale. I would have bought this a few years back. The Cozy Coupe for $15 was a great deal and thought of buying it for Grandma’s house. If I was pregnant I would have bought the baby scale. I wanted one of these so bad while I was nursing Isaac. And, some mom really didn’t want to take home this highchair it say by the door and register and had been lowered to $2!
I wasn’t planning on buying anything in here unless I found a climber, but Isaac pointed to this truck and called out “carrrrrr”. For $.50, I thought my rockstar shopper deserved a little treat. Besides, it’s a cement mixer. Daddy pours footers and finishes concrete at work and pretty soon he is going to love passing these on the roads. We spent $4.50 in the toy room. Details on the other impulse buys below.

By the way, I love knowing that my money is going to a good cause. 50% of group profits go to assist higher order multiples families experiencing financial hardship. Learn more about TSM here.

Drum roll please…. Here we have the clothes I purchased by size. I cannot give you exact prices for each item because the mommies pull the tags when I pay. It is how they know which mom gets the mula (that is where the other 50% goes).

And, off my “starred” really wants list: A Gymboree sweater for Isaac’s Easter outfit. A pair of 8/9 navy Crocs and black skater shoes in perfect condition. Also, this 2T jacket that will remind me of the triplet boys I nannied for because all 3 had the same one. In fact it is very possible this was one of theirs and it has been passed around to triplet moms a few times since they were 2. Could be!?

And, my $4.50 impulse buys were fun things for Isaac. A carry along school house with jumbo figurines inside, cement mixer truck and Melissa and Doug magnet board with misc letters. As you can see, Isaac was very pleased that I brought these toys home. #picturebomb

That is it for Part 1! The EHMOTC twin sale is close by in Anderson this Saturday. I usually go late to this sale but I found out that they are no longer doing half-off items the last hour. So, I think I am going to do this one early and without baby! No more impulse buys, Isaac. I will be back next week to share Spring Sale Spoils (Part 2). I’m looking forward to it!